black-clk500

Going to get the wife a new "family mobile."
Getting rid of the e91 (BMW wagon), it's just too damn harsh and with one toddler and another baby on the way it's bye bye BMW for this family--I can't stand the runflats and it's going to get cramped with two little ones and all of the stuff!
Also on the short list is the Q7 (her #1 choice) and the new 2011 Cayenne (my pick, but she thinks it's too flashy)

So does anyone own a wagon here?
What would you buy? They're all around the same money (similarly optioned) give or take $5K.

I'd love some real life pics of any wagon owners, can't find too much online, other than the airbrushed MB ones--closest dealer had none, but there are a handful within an hours drive.

Thanks.

Wig

Please avoid the Q7. The most unreliable car my wife has ever had, and not as roomy inside as it looks.

ngerstman

I know this is Mercedes forum and I love Mercedes cars and just bought an e550 4matic. It seems to me that there is a gulf of difference between a Mercedes wagon, which I'm sure is great if you want a wagon and an Audi Q7. I just bought my wife an Acura MDX and we both love it. I also drove the BMW x5 but just couldn't justify paying $20,000 more than the MDX, which is more practical, loaded with useful technology and drives great. I bought the MDX with the technology package but not the advance package that has the active suspension. Nice idea but not executed well, IMO. Sport setting too hard and comfort too soft. Regular suspension just right. If you like music the hard drive in the MDX is great. Holds 300 cd's. I strongly recommend that you try one. Regards. Ned.

black-clk500

thanks for the comments--I worry about the Q7s reliability and I guess they go through tires and brakes pretty fast.

I think the E wagon is really nice and it rides really soft (non-sport model) which is what we want with two sleeping children on road trips.

Wig, what year was your wife's Q7 and what were the problems?
Ned, how does the MDX ride comfort compare to your E?
I've never owned a Japanese car and feel a little funny spending a lot for one, but I'll check it out, it can't hurt!

Thanks again guys.

Anyone else?

ngerstman

Relative to what you get, the MDX is a bargain! I got about $5,000 off sticker, so a pretty loaded vehicle was around $43,000. A Mercedes wagon will cost $75,000, a similarly equipped BMW x5, $65,000. I don't think that you can compare the ride of a sedan to an SUV. For what it is, it rides great. It handles well and is very fast and responsive. Great brakes. Comfortable and quiet cabin. A fold down third row seat that is very functional. If you need a family SUV, you would be hard pressed to find anything better at any price. My one and only complaint is the gas mileage which clearly could be better. Regards. Ned.

vsbabolat

I own a 2011 E350 4matic Wagon and did not pay $75,000 with P1, P2, sports package, leather, and Wheel package.

ngerstman

What did you pay. Thanks. Ned.

vsbabolat

List was $65,520.................. I did not pay that.........

hyperion667

dang, this is what I have always heard about audi's.........never did like them.......even now.........

Arrie

I drove a Q7 for a year. If you don't like stiff suspension, like I understand from your experience with the Bimmer, you will need to take Q7 off of your list.

My Q7 felt like driving without springs.

black-clk500

Ned, thanks again for your input.
I checked out the MDX online last night and will take a closer look in person and a test drive.
Is there any aftermarket solutions for that front end? It is fugally(no offense)--but none of these vehicles are real lookers.
Anyway, after looking at the available options it does seem to come pretty well equipped with the pkg you got.
My primary options are leather interior, navi and xenon.
The MDX will be the cheapest to get equipped that way and the MB the most.
The smooth ride of the E wagon is a big factor for us and a big reason why we're getting rid of the bimmer.
I don't want to end up trading in this next car after two years because the depreciation is killer after two years--explain that to my wife

Vsbabolat, can you elaborate on owning the wagon?
Anything you dislike? After owning it would you do it all over again?
Any pics?
Thank you.

Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks

black-clk500

Really, I didn't think it was too bad, but a test drive is only so good.
After reading so much stuff on the Audi boards and else where, I think if I got the Q7 and had problems I'd feel like a real a$$
Thanks Arrie

ngerstman

The MDX does keep its value extremely well. I used one of the online car shopping websites to get quotes from all of the surrounding Acura dealers and that worked well to give me bargaining leverage. I would recommend that you test drive both the standard and advanced package suspensions. The advanced package suspension on sport did an incredible job of eliminating body roll but I found it too hard on rough roads, which are in abundance in NJ where I live. Comfort was too mushy unfortunately. What sucks about not getting the advance package is that is the only way to get some other features that only come with that package, such as blind side detection. The reviewers loved the active suspension so I assumed that I would naturally go with it, sounded great on paper. But as I said, the regular suspension felt the best to me and I was willing to give up some handling characteristics for better all around comfort. My wife went from a 2005 Lexus rx330 to the Acura. I was actually surprised that she went for it because it is meaningfully bigger than the Lexus, especially in the width. The Lexus was 72 inches wide the Acura 78 inches!! Big difference. But we like it a lot. And I tend to be biased to German cars. Happy shopping!! Ned.

petee1997

Two of my daughters bought new MDXs with tech package in the last year. By far the best value for the money. Great power (300hp), nice ride and the best tech money can buy. Both of them have two small children and with the third row they have all the room they need. As far as reliability is concerned, the Germans could only hope to do as well.
If ego is not a priority, there is no better choice out there. Throw the savings in the kids' education fund.

SKYKING44

I just purchased an 11, E350 wagon, P2, leather, sport. I love it. I had a Volvo V70R, 2 BMW 545 wagons. I will not by a SUV, only wagons. I tried to by an Audi A6 wagon but with the body and engine change this year I did not want to buy the "old" style.
The new wagon is everything I wanted. I thought the power would be a disapointment but it is perfect for me. List on car was $67,400, paid 61,200 with USAA discount.

black-clk500

So I drove the MDX today and I'm taking it off the list.
Interior looked dated and the looks are not my cup of tea.
It did have some good get up and go and a smooth ride, but the quality just wasn't there for me.

So it looks like it's down to the E-wagon, Q7 and the new comer the new 2011 Touareg.
I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the VW is, the ride is not as soft as the E wagon, but still a softer ride than the bimmer.
Nice tech and interior, looks very fresh and clean, huge Navi.
Totally redesigned for 2011, looks very similar to its Cayenne brother.

So I can get a sweet Touareg for mid $40s discounted and my SA at MB can discount the E wagon about 7k--the E will still come in over $11k more than the Touareg.
Apples and oranges really, but I'm just trying to justify the extra cash for the MB.
The Q7 fits in between the two and really my least favorite of the three.

So the MB is the smoothest, best built IMO, slightly smaller than the VW, but more than $11k extra.

Is $45k a lot to spend on a VW???

Anyone have an opinion?

mikemargolis

If you have kids, please do yourself a favor and go drive the Honda Odyssey Touring.

Yes, it's a minivan, and it's also the nicest darn people mover in the world, if you have to move 6+ or even four with lots of stuff.

We have four teenagers, and I am telling you: any sedan or wagon will be a compromise, even medium SUV's will be a mistake.

Maybe you don't know yet, but the STUFF that accompanies a bunch of kids is immense, and you're going to want the room. Promise.

black-clk500

You have got to be kidding me!
I will get divorced and leave the country before I put a minivan in the garage I don't care how nice it is

Thanks for sharing the advice, but we're done with two kids.

K-A

I've always said that driving a Minivan is the equivalent to giving up on life.

RNBRAD

ipp

The new Touareg seems really nice, but I also like wagons more... Here are some pics of our wagon.

ngerstman

I don't agree with your assessment of the interior at all. Clean, modern and functional. My only complaint would be the sea of plastic faux wood. Otherwise, what's not to like. Ride and handling are great with great technology for a not insane price. VW, good luck with that if you go there. I'm sure that the Mercedes wagon is great, but it is a wagon, not an SUV that will give you comfort in snowy conditions. I like the 4matics sedans but never deluded myself into thinking that I should go 4 wheeling in them. If I didn't need the flexibility of a people moving, safe, go in the snow vehilcle, I would buy a sedan. If I neede something a little more flexible maybe a wagon. I guess that's what makes it a ballgame. Good luck. Ned.

black-clk500

Hi Ned,
I agree about the ride and handling and ALSO the plasticy faux wood.
I also felt like the seats were cheap feeling and almost LAZY BOYish.
And the dash and front end of the car appeared dated when compared to the Germans; the salesman told me it's getting refreshed in a year or two.
Don't get me wrong, I understand why it's so popular and gets good reviews, it has great size, reliability(from what I hear) and good power and handling.
It just didn't reach out to me and say "buy me"
I didn't feel any emotion toward the vehicle, I know that sounds funny, but if I'm spending a nice chunk of change on something, I gotta at least feel some excitement--otherwise I would already be driving the minivan

I hope you understand that I'm not bashing your opinion or your vehicle because I'm not.
I respect your opinion, otherwise I wouldn't have tested the vehicle
Different strokes for different folks, I guess that's why we all don't chase the same woman!

black-clk500

Ipp, thanks for the photos.
How do you like the sports pkg?

I have a F150, so getting through huge snow storms is not a huge issue ifnwe get the E wagon.
Also, my wife's current BMW wagon had no trouble this winter in the snow and we had the worst snow in history this year, so the SUV is not a priority for that purpose, just size for hauling two kids and their stuff.


Anymore comments?

ipp

I came from a BMW E61 M-Sport, so to me the ride is VERY smooth even with the Sport package. I'd guess that it's softer than the BMW w/o M-Sport aswell... The luggage space is enormous, in fact it has the largest luggage space of any wagon sold on the European market. It has a clever way of folding the rear seats, just pull a handle on the D-pillar and in less than a second the seats are folded.

Any questions just ask...